UNIT I : UNDERSTANDING ORGANISATION BEHAVIOUR

NATURE AND SCOPE OF OB

Organizational Behaviour is concerned with the understanding,

prediction and control of human behaviour in organizations. It focuses on the
individuals, the groups and the organization and also on their interactional
relationships. It is the study and application of knowledge about how people act
with organizations.

It is a human tool for human benefit. It applies broadly to the behaviour

of people in all types of organizations. Wherever organizations are, there is a
need to understand organizational behaviour.

Features (Characteristics) of OB

1. OB is a part of general management and not the whole of management.

It represents behavioural approach to management.

2. OB contains a body of theory, research and application associated with a

growing concern for people at the work place. It helps in understanding
human behaviour in work organizations.

3. OB is a human tool for human benefit. It helps in predicting the

behaviour of individuals.

4. OB is inter-disciplinary field of study. It tries to synthesize knowledge

drawn from various behavioural and social sciences such as Psychology,
Sociology, Anthropology, Political-science, Economics, etc. In fact, OB
is an applied behavioural sciences.

5. OB involves three levels of analysis of behaviour-individual behaviour,

group behaviour and behaviour of the organization itself.

6. OB is an action-oriented and goal-directed discipline. It provides a

rational thinking about people and their behaviour

7. OB is both a science and an art. The systematic knowledge about human

behaviour is a science. The application of behvioural knowledge and
skills clearly leans towardss being an art.

8. OB seeks to fulfil both employees’ needs and organizational objectives.

Scope of OB

The scope of OB may be summed up in the words of S.P.Robbins as

follows:

“OB is a field of study that investigates the impact that individuals,

groups, and structure have on behaviour within organizations, for the purpose
of applying such knowledge towardss improving an organisation’s
effectiveness”.

The scope of OB involves three levels of behaviour in organizations:

individuals, groups and structure.

1. Individual Behaviour
(i) Personality
(ii) Perception
(iii) Values and Attitudes
(iv) Learning
(v) Motivation

2. Group Behaviour
(i) Work groups and group dynamics
(ii) Dynamics of conflict
(iii) Communciation
(iv) Leadership
(v) Morale

3. Organization: Structure, Process and Application

(i) Organizational Climate

(ii) Organizational Culture
(iii) Organizational Change
(iv) Organizational Effectiveness
(v) Organizational Development
Key Elements in OB

The key elements in organizational behaviour are people, structure technology

and the environment in which the organizations operates. When people join
together in an organisation to accomplish an objective, some kind of structure
is required. People also use technology to help get the job done, so there is an
interaction of people, structure and the technology as shown in fig.1. In
addition, these elements are influenced by the external environment, and they
influence it.

People

Environment Environment
Structure Fig. 1:Key elements in
organizational behaviour

Each of the four elements of organizational behaviour will be considered

Organization
briefly. Technology
People: People makeEnvironment
up the internal social system of the organisation. They
consist of individuals and groups. There are formal and informal groups.
Groups are dynamic. They form, change and disband. Organizations exist to
serve people, rather than people existing to serve organizations.

Structure: Structure defines the formal relationships of people in

organisations. Different jobs are required to accomplish all of an organisation’s
activities. There are managers and employees, accountants and assemblers.
These people have to be related in some structural way so that their work can
be effectively co-ordinated. These relationships create complex problems of co-
operation, negotiation and decision-making.

Technology: Technology provides the resources with which people work and
affects the tasks that they perform. The technology used has a significant
influence in working relationships. The great benefit of technology is that it
allows people to do more and better work, but it also restricts people in various
ways. It has costs as well as benefits.

Environment: All organizations operate within an external environment A

single organisation does not exist alone. It is part of a larger system that
contains many other elements such as Govt, the family, and other
organizations.
All of these mutually influence each other in a complex system that creates a
context for a group of people. Individual organizations, such as factory or a
school, cannot escape being influenced by this external environment. It
influences the attitudes of people, affects working conditions, and provides
competition for resources and power. It must be considered in the study of
human behaviour in organizations.

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS

Organizational behaviour starts with a set of six fundamental concepts

revolving around the nature of people and organizations. They are as follows:

The Nature of people:

 Individual differences
 A whole person
 Motivated behaviour
 Value of the person (human dignity)

The Nature of organisations

 Social systems
 Mutual Interest

Result

 Holistic organizational behaviour

1.INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES: People have much in common (they become

excited, or they are grieved by the loss of loved one), but each person in the
world is also individually different. Each one is different from all others,
probably in millions of ways, just as each of their fingerprints is different, as a
far as we know. And these differences are usually substantial rather than
meaningless. All people are different. This is a fact supported by science.

The idea of individual differences comes originally from psychology. From the
day of birth, each person is unique, and individual experiences after birth tend
to make people even more different. Individual differences mean that
management can get the greatest motivation among employees by treating
manager’s approach to employees should be individual, not statistical. This
belief that each person is different from all others is typically called the Law of
Individual Differences.
2. A WHOLE PERSON: Although some organisations may wish they could
employ a person’s skill or brain, they actually employ a whole person, rather
than certain characteristics. Different human traits may be separately studied,
but in the final analysis they are all part of one system making up a whole
person. Skill does not exist apart from background or knowledge. Human life
is not totally separable from work life and emotional conditions are not
separate from physical conditions. People function as total human beings.

3. MOTIVATED BEHAVIOUR : From psychology we learn that normal

behaviour has certain causes. These may relate to a person’s needs and / or the
consequences that result from acts. In the case of needs, people are motivated
not by what we think they ought to have but by what they themselves want. To
an outside observer a person’s needs may be unrealistic, but they are still
controlling. This act leaves management with two basic ways to motivate
people. It can show them how certain actions will increase their need
fulfillment, or it can threaten decreased need fulfillment if they follow an
undesirable course of action. Clearly a path towards increased need fulfillment
is the better approach.

4. VALUE OF THE PERSON (HUMAN DIGNITY): This concept is of a

different order from the other three because it is more an ethical philosophy
than a scientific conclusion. It asserts that people are to be treated differently
from other factors of production because they are of a higher order in the
universe. It recognizes that because people are of a higher order they want to be
treated with respect and dignity – and should be treated this way. The concept
of human dignity rejects the old idea of using employees as economic tools.

5. SOCIAL SYSTEMS: From sociology we learn that organisations are social

systems; consequently activities there-in are governed by social laws as well as
psychological laws. Just as people have psychological needs, they also have
social roles and status. Their behaviour is influenced by their group as well as
by their individual drives. In fact, two types of social systems exist side by side
in organisations. One is the formal (official) social system, and the other is the
informal social system.

The existence of a social system implies that the organizational environment is

one of dynamic change rather than a static set of relations. All parts of the
system are interdependent and subject to influence by any other part.
Everything is related to everything else. The idea of a social system provides a
frame work for analyzing organizational behaviour issues. It helps make
organizational behaviour problems understandable and manageable.
6. MUTUAL INTEREST: Mutual interest is represented by the statement
“organisations, need people, and people also need organisations”.
Organisations have a human purpose. They are formed and maintained on the
basis of some mutuality of interest among their participants. People see
organisations as a means to help them reach their goals, while organisations
need people to help reach organizational objectives. As shown in the following
figure, mutual interest provides a superordinate goal that integrates the efforts
of individuals and groups. The result is that they are encouraged to attack
organizational problems rather than each other.

Employee
Employee
goals

Superordinate Mutual
goal of accomplishment
mutual interest of goals

Organisational
goals
Organisation

Fig. 2. Mutual interest provides a superordinate goal for organization.

7.HOLISTIC ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR: When the six

fundamental concepts of organizational behaviour are considered together, they
provide a holistic concept of the subject. Holistic organizational behaviour
interprets people-organisation relationships in terms of the whole person, whole
group, whole organisation, and whole social system. It takes an across-the
board view of people in organisations in an effort to understand as many as
possible of the factors that influence their behaviour. Issues are analysed in
terms of the total situation affecting them rather than in terms of an isolated
event or problem.
 BASIC APPROACHES TO OB

1. A human resources (supportive) approach: The human resources

approach is developmental. It is concerned with the growth and development of
people towardss higher levels of competency, creativity, and fufillment,
because people are the central resource in any organisation and any society.
The nature of the human resources approach can be understood by comparing it
with the traditional management approach in the early 1900s. In the traditional
approach, managers decided what should be done and management was
directive and controlling.

The human resources approach, on the other hand, is supportive. It helps

employees become better, more responsible persons, and then tries to create a
climate in which they may contribute to the limits of their improved abilities.
Essentially, the human resources approach means that better people achieve
better results. It is somewhat illustrated by this ancient proverb:

“Give a person a fish, and you feed that person for a day
Teach a person to fish, and you feed that person for life”

2. A contingency approach: Traditional management relied on the principle of

“one best way” of managing. There was a correct way to organize, to delegate
and to divide work. The correct way applied regardless of the type of
organisation or situation involved. The contingency approach to organizational
behaviour means that different situations require different behavioural practices
for effectiveness.

No longer is there a one best way. Each situation must be analysed carefully to
determine the significant variables that exist in order to establish the kinds of
practices that will be more effective. The strength of the contingency approach
is that it encourages analysis of each situation prior to action, while at the same
time discouraging habitual practice based on Universal assumptions about
people. The contingency approach also is more interdisciplinary, more system-
oriented, and more research-oriented than the traditional approach. Thus it
helps to use in the most appropriate manner all the current knowledge about
people in organisations.

3. A productivity approach: Productivity is a ratio that compares units of

output with units of input. If more outputs can be produced from the same
amount of inputs, productivity is improved or if fewer inputs can be used to
produce the same amount of outputs, productivity has increased. The idea of
productivity does not imply that one should produce more output; rather it is a
measure of how efficiently one produces whatever output is desired.
Consequently, better productivity is a valuable measure of how well resources
are used in society. It means that less is consumed to produce each unit of
output. There is less waste and better conservation of resources.
Productivity often is measured in terms of economic inputs and outputs, but
human and social inputs and outputs are also important, For example. if better
organizational behaviour can improve job satisfaction, a human output or
benefit occurs. In the same manner, when employee development programmes
lead to a by-product of better citizens in a community, a valuable social output
occurs.

Equations showing the role of organizational behaviour is work systems:

1. Knowledge x skill = Ability

2. Attitude x situation = Motivation

3. Ability x Motivation = Potential human performance

4. Human performance x resources = organizational productivity

4. A systems Approach:

A system implies that there are many variables in organisations and that each
of them affects all the others in a complex relationship. All people in
organisations should be concerned with improving organizational behaviour.
Managers represent the administrative system and their role is to use
organizational behaviour to improve people – organisation relationships as
shown in the following figure.

Managers try to build a climate in which people are motivated work together,
productively, and become more effective persons.

Human
objectives

Better people
Administrative Organisational Orgn. Organisational
system behaviour relationships objectives

Social
objectives

Fig.3 The administrative system in organizational behaviour

When organizational behaviour is applied with a systems approach it creates a
triple reward system in which human, organizational and social objectives are
met. People find more satisfaction in work when there is cooperation and
teamwork. They are learning growing and contributing. The orgn also is more
successful, because it operates more effectively. Quality is better and costs are
less. Perhaps the greatest beneficiary of the triple reward system is society
itself; because it has better products and services, better citizens and a climate
of co-operation and progress.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR

A conceptual framework for understanding organizational behaviour is

presented by Durbin consisting of four core propositions, which are:
1. Organizational behaviour follows the principles of human
behaviour.
2. Organizational behaviour is situational.
3. Organizational behaviour is based on system approach.
4. Organizational behaviour represents a constant interaction
between structure and process variables.

1. Organizational behaviour follows the principles of human behaviour:

Human beings in the organization are governed by the same

physiological mechanisms both on and off the job. Internal mechanism s
provide people an extra spurt of the appropriate harmone during times of stress,
whether this stress is job or non – job related. Similarly, people at work are
governed by the same psychological principles both inside and outside
organizational life. Organizational behaviour is human behaviour in a
particular setting.

2. Organizational Behaviour is situational:

Psychologists and other behvaioural scientists have emphasized for

years that individual is a function of the interaction between personal
characteristics of the individual and environmental variables. In order to
understand a person’s behaviour, the pressures placed upon him in a given
situation must be understood. Aggressive behvaiour, for example, surfaces
when a normally calm individual is forced into constant and close physical
proximity with other people.

Pigors and Myres developed the concepts of situational thinking. Their

analysis suggests that four situational variables are basic for anyone responsible
for getting results accomplished through people.
These are:

a) The human element such as individual differences. This

category includes interpersonal relationships and other social
aspects of the situation.
b) The technical factor such as production methods and
equipment, management procedure, and specialized skills in
any job function.
c) Space – time dimensions and relationships such as the size
and location of a plant, office or work – station.
d) Organizational wide policies designed to achieve major
organizational objectives.

3. Organizational Behaviour is based on system approach:

Systems thinking is an integral part of modern organization theory.

Organizations are viewed as complex systems consisting of inter – related and
inter – locking sub – systems. Changes in any one part of the system has both
known and unknown consequences in other parts of the system. When
modifications in the system lead to desired, positive consequences, they are
called functions. Unintended consequences in response to modification in the
systems are called dysfunctions. According to the system point of view, every
inter – action has both functions and dysfunctions.

4. Organizational Behaviour represents a constant interaction between

structure and process variables:

Structure refers to organizational design and position. Process refers to

what happens, with or without the structure. A retail store may use both formal
advertising and public relations functions (structure) to help build its image in
the community. However, most of the store’s image is formed by words of
mouth from satisfied and dissatisfied customers and employees.

Processes emerging within a group or organization are often evident

only after they are heading towardss completion. It is almost structural
requirement in any organization that managers deal with the discontents of
their people, yet employees sometimes find other processes for handling them.

The difference between structure and process represents a vital concept

for understanding organizational behaviour. Classical approaches to
management neglected interpersonal processes – the human side of
organization life. Erring in the opposite direction (neglecting the influence of
structural and technological factors) is a tendency on the part of some social
psychologists. Deeper understanding of organizational behaviour requires an
ability to follow the complex shifting in relative importance between structure
and process variables.
 MODELS OF ORGANISATIONAIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR

Since the dawn of industrial revolution, four models of organizational

behaviour have been followed by managers of different organizations at
different times. These are autocratic, custodial, supportive and collegial as
shown in table 1.

Table 1: Models of Organizational Behaviour

Model Autocratic Custodial Supportive Collegial

Basis of Power Economic Leadership Partnership

Model resources

Managerial Authority Money Support Teamwork

orientation

Employee Obedience Security and Job Responsible

orientation benefits performance behaviour

Employee Dependence Dependence Participation Self –

psychological on boss on discipline
result organization

Employee Subsistence Security Status and Self –

needs met recognition actualization

Performance Minimum Passive co- Awakened Moderate

result operation drives enthusiasm
 CONTRIBUTING DISCIPLINES TO THE OB FIELD

Behavioural Science Contribution

Learning
Motivation
Personality
Psychology Emotions
Perception
Training
Leadership effectiveness
Job satisfaction
Individual decision making
Performance appraisal
Attitude measurement
Employee selection
Work design

Fig.4 Contributing Discipline to the OB field

Work Stress
Group dynamics
Work teams
Communication
Power
Sociology
Sociology Conflict
Intergroup behaviour

Formal Organisation theory

Organisational technology
Orgnaisational change
Organizational cutlure

Behavioural change
Social Attitude change
Psychology
Pschology Communication
Group processes
Group decision making

Comparative Values
Comparative Attitudes
Cross-cultural analysis
Anthropology
Sociology

Organizational culture
Organizational
Development

Conflict
Political Science Intraorganisational
Politics
Power
 UNIT II: INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOUR

PERSONALITY

Personality refers to the sum total of ways in which an individual reacts and
interacts with others. Personality determinants include heredity, environment
and situation.

Personality traits: The early work in the structure of personality revolved

around attempts to identify and label enduring characteristics that describe an
individual’s behaviour. Popular characteristics include shy, aggressive,
submissive, lazy, ambitious, loyal, or timid. These characteristics, when they
are exhibited in a large number of situations, are called traits.

1. Reserved Outgoing
2. Less Intelligent More intelligent
3. Affected by feelings Emotionally stable
4. Submissive Dominant
5. Serious Happy-go-luck
6. Expedient Conscientious
7. Timid Venturesome
8. Tough-minded Sensitive
9. Trusting Suspicious
10. Practical Imaginative
11.Forthright Shrewd
12. Self-assured Apprehensive
13. Conservative Experimenting
14. Group-dependent Self-sufficient
15. Uncontrolled Controlled
16. Relaxed Tense
Table 1 Sixteen source traits

Determinants of Personality

(1) Biological Factors:

(i) Heredity: It means the transmission of the qualities such as

physical stature, facial attractiveness, sex, temperament, muscle
composition, reflexes etc, from the ancestors and parents to the
descendants. Heredity is generally more important in determining
a person’s temperament than his values and ideals.
 (ii) Brain: There is a general feeling that brain plays an important
role in the development of one’s personality. However, no
conclusive proof is available so far about the nature of
relationship between the brain and personality.

(iii) Physical features: An individual’s external appearance may

have a tremendous effect on his personality. Such factors include
height, weight, colour, facial features, etc. of the individual.

(2) Family and Social factors: The development of individual’s personality is

also influenced by his family and other social groups. The infant acquires those
behaviour patterns that are customary and acceptable to the standards of the
family and the community where the family lives. The status of the family in
the society influences individual’s perception about self, others, work, money,
etc.,

(3) Situational factors: An individual’s personality may change in different

situations. The demands of different situations may call for different aspects of
one’s personality. Therefore, we should not look at the personality factor in
isolation.

Group and culture are the early environmental factors that influence
later behaviour. Family and the social setting during early stages of education
are the important factors which influence the initial formation of personality.
Whatever the child learns lasts for life time. Later in life, it is the peer groups
of primary affiliations at work, social activities etc. which shape the personality
of an individual.

(4) Other factors:

a) Temperament: Temperament is the degree to which one responds

emotionally.

b) Interest: An Individual normally has many interests in various areas. The

successful persons in the same occupation have to a large extent, the same
interests.

c) Character: Character primarily means honesty. It is resistance to stealing

and cheating others.

d) Schema: It is an individual’s belief, frame of reference, perception and

attitude which the individual possesses towardss the management, the job,
working conditions, pay, fringe benefits, incentive system, and development
programmes in the organization.
e) Motives: Motives are the inner drives of an individual. They represent goal
directed behaviour of individual.

Development of Personality

(1) Freudian Stages: Sigmund Freud propounded psychoanalytic theory of

personality which is based on the notion that man is motivated more by unseen
forces than by conscious and rational thought. Freud noted that his clients’
behaviour could not always be consciously explained. This clinical finding led
him to conclude that major motivating force in man is unconscious framework.
This framework contains three aspects, though inter-related but often
conflicting. These are Id, Ego and Superego. Their brief description is as
follows:
(i) The Id: The id is the source o psychic energy and seeks immediate
gratification for biological or instinctual needs such as hunger, thirst and
sex. The id would proceed unchecked to satisfy motives, particularly the
sexual relations and pleasures, were it not for the channeling activity
into acceptable ways by the ego. As an individual matures, he learns to
control the id. But even then, it remains a driving force throughtout life
and an important source of thinking and behaving.

(ii) The Ego: The ego is the conscious and logical part of human
personality and is associated with the reality principle. While id
represents the unconscious part, ego is conscious about the realities of
the external environment. The ego keeps the id in check through
intellect and reason.

(iii) The Super ego: The super ego represents societal and personal norms
and serves as an ethical constraint on behaviour. It can best be described
as the conscience. The superego provides norms to ego to determine
what is wrong or right. However, a person is not aware of the working
of the super ego, and conscience is developed by absorption of cultural
values and norms of the society.

(2) Erikson Stages: Erikson criticized the heavy emphasis given by Freud
on the sexual and biological factors in the development of personality. He
felt that relatively more attention should be given to the social factors.
Erikson identified eight stages of life that characterize the unending
development of a person.

(i) Infancy: During the first year of life, a child resolves the basic crisis
of trust Vs mistrust. An infant who is cared for in an affectionate
way learns to trust other people. Lack of love and affection results in
mistrust. This stages makes a serious impact on a child that
influences events for remaining life.
(ii) Early childhood: In the second and third years of life, a child begins
to assert independence. If the child is allowed to control these
aspects of life that the child is capable of controlling, a sense of
autonomy will develop. If the child encounters constant disapproval
by elders a sense of self-doubt and shame is likely to develop.

(iii) Play age: The four and five year old seeks to discover just how
much he can do. If a child is encouraged to experiment and to
achieve reasonable goals, he will develop a sense of initiative. If the
child is blocked and made to feel incapable, he will develop a sense
of ‘guilt and lack of self confidence’.

(iv) School age: From ages 6 to 12, a child learns many new skills and
develops social abilities. If a child experiences real progress at a rate
comparable with abilities, he or she will develop a sense of
enterprise. The reverse situation results in a sense of inferiority.

(v) Adolescence: The crisis of teenage years is to gain a sense of

identity rather than to become confused about who you are. While
undergoing rapid biological changes, the teenager is also trying to
establish himself or herself as socially separate from the parents. The
autonomy, initiative and enterprise developed in earlier stages are
very important in helping the teenager to successfully resolve this
crisis and prepare for adulthood.

(vi) Early adulthood: The young adult during the twenties faces the
crisis of intimacy Versus isolation. The sense of identity developed
during the teenage years allows the young adult to begin developing
deep and lasting relationships.

(vii) Adulthood: During this stage, the adults face the crisis of
generativity Versus self-absorption. Self-absorbed persons never
develop an ability to look beyond themselves. They become
absorbed in career advancement and maintenance; and they never
learn to have concern for future generations, the welfare of
organizations to which they belong or the welfare of society as a
whole. Generative people see the world as much bigger than
themselves. Productivity at work and societal advancement become
important to them. Through innovation and creativity, they begin to
exert influence that benefits their organizations.

(viii) Mature adulthood: The person is developed as a highly mature

person. He has gained a sense of wisdom and perspective that can
really guide the younger generations.
 (3) Chris Argyris’ Immaturity – Maturity Theory:
Chris Argyris argued that personality of an individual develops along a
continuum from immaturity as an infant to maturity as an adult. He
identified seven characteristics in the continuum as given in the following
table.

Table 2 : Immaturity – Maturity Continuum

Immaturity Characteristics Maturity Characteristics

Passivity Activity
Dependence Independence
Few ways of behaving Diverse behaviour
Shallow interests Deep interests
Short-time perspective Long-time perspective
Subordinate position Super ordinate position
Lack of self awareness Self awareness and control

Chris Argyris further contended that:

(i) The seven dimensions represent only one aspect of the total
personality. Much also depends upon individual’s perception, self-
concept and adaptation and adjustment.

(ii) The seven dimensions continually change in degree from the infant
to the adult end of the continuum

(iii) The model, being only a construct, cannot predict specific behaviour.

(iv) The seven dimensions are based upon latest characteristics of

personality which may be quite different from the observable
behaviour.

4.Big Five Model

Five personality traits (the so called big five) have recently emerged
from research as being especially related to job performance. Characteristics of
these traits can be summarized briefly as follows:

(1) Extraversion – Sociable, talkative and assertive

(2) Agreeableness – Good natured, co-operative, and trusting

(3) Conscientiousness – Responsible, dependable, persistent and

achievement-oriented
 (4) Emotional Stability -- Viewed from a negative stand point:
tense, insecure and nervous
(5) Openness to experience – Imaginative, artistically sensitive and
intellectual

5. Friedman and Rosenman’s studies

Table 3 : Profiles of Type A and Type B Personalities

Type A Profile Type B Profile

Is always moving Is not concerned about time
Walks rapidly Is Patient
Talks rapidly Doesn’t brag
Eats rapidly Plays for fun, not to win
Is impatient Relaxes without guilt
Des two things at once Has not pressing deadlines
Can’t cope with leisure time Is mild-mannered
Is obsessed with numbers Is never in a hurry
Measures success by quantity
Is aggressive
Is competitive
Constantly feels under time pressure

The Self concept: Self – Esteem and Self – efficacy

People’s attempts to understand themselves are called the self-concept in

personality theory. The self is a unique product of many interacting parts and
may be thought of as the personality viewed from within. This self is
particularly relevant to the concepts of self esteem and self-efficacy in the field
of organizational behaviour.

People’s self esteem has to do with their self-perceived competence and

self-image. There is considerable research on the role that self-esteem may play
in organizational behaviour and its outcomes. Employees with high self esteem
feel unique, competent, secure, empowered, and connected to the people
around them.

Self-efficacy is concerned with self –perceptions of how well a person

can cope with situations as they arise. Those with high self-efficacy feel
capable and confident of performing well in a situation.
6. Levinson’s Adult Life Stages

The work of Daniel Levinson on adult life stages has received attention.
At first, he believed that “the life structure evolves through a relatively orderly
sequence throughout the adult years, “ and, unlike other stage theories that
were event-oriented (for example, marriage, parenthood or retirement), his was
age-based. In particular he believed there was little variability (a maximum of
two or three years) in four identifiable stable periods.

1. Entering the adult world (ages 22-28)

2. Settling down (ages 33-40)
3. Entering middle adulthood (ages 45-50)
4. Culmination of middle adulthood (ages 55-60)

He identified four transitional periods:

1. Age-thirty transition (ages 28 – 33)

2. Mid-life transition (ages 40-45)
3. Age-fifty transition (ages 50-55)
4. Late adult transition (ages 60-65)

7. Douglas T.Hall’s Career Stage Model

Hall has synthesized Levinson’s theory and other adult stage theories (in
particular the work of Erikson) into an overall model for career stages. The
following figure shows that there are four major career stages.
High
Employee Work Performance

Maintenance

Exploration

Stagnation?
Decline

Low
Age 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65

Needs Identity / Intimacy / Generativity / Integrity

Fig. 6 Doughs T.Hall’s Career Stage Model

During the first stage there is considerable exploration. The young employee is
searching for an identity and undergoes considerable self examination and role
tryouts. This stage usually results in taking a number of different jobs and is, in
general, a very unstable and relatively unproductive period in the person’s
career. In the second stage, establishment, the employee begins to settle down
and indicates a need for intimacy. This is usually a growing, productive period
in the employee’s career. The third stage of maintenance occurs when the
person levels off into a highly productive plateau and has a need for
generativity (the concern to leave something to the next generation).
This need often leads the person to assume a paternalistic or perhaps a mentor
role with younger subordinates. As shown above, the person may either have a
growth spurt or become stagnant and decline during this third career stage. The
final stage, decline, is self-explanatory. The person indicates a need for
integrity (that is, the person needs to feel satisfied with his or her life choices
and overall career).

The Socialisation process

Besides the developmental aspects of personality, there is increasing

recognition given to the role of other relevant persons, groups, and especially,
organizations which greatly influence an individual’s personality. This
continuous impact from the social environment is commonly called the
socialization process. Socialisation starts with the initial contact between a
mother and her new infant.

After infancy, other members of the immediate family (father, brothers, and
sisters), close relatives and family friends and then the social group (peer,
school friends, and members of the work group) play influential roles. Edgar
Schein notes that the organization itself also contributes to socialization. He
points out that the process includes only the learning of those values, norms
and behaviour patterns which, from the organisation’s and work group’s points
of view, are necessary for any new organization member to learn.

The following are widely accepted characteristics of orgnaisational

socialization of employees:

1. Change of attitudes, values and behaviours.

2. Continuity of socialization over time.
3. Adjustment to new jobs, work groups, and organizational practices.
4. Mutual influence between new recruits and their managers.
5. Criticality of the early socialization period.
Specific techniques of socializing new employees would include the use of
mentors or role models, orientation and training programmes, reward systems,
and career planning. Specific steps that can lead to successful organizational
socialization would include the following:

1. Provide a challenging first job

2. Provide relevant training
3. Provide timely and consistent feedback
4. Select a good first supervisor to be in charge of socialization
5. Design a relaxed orientation programme
6. Place new recruits in work groups with high morale.

Such deliberate socialization strategies have tremendous potential

impact on human resources management and organizational effectiveness.
 LEARNING

Meaning:

Learning refers to any relatively permanent change in behaviour that

occurs as a result of experience. Ironically, we can say that changes in
behaviour indicate that learning has taken place and that learning is a change in
behaviour. Our definition has several components that deserve clarification.
First, learning involves change. This may be good or bad from an
organizational point of view. People can learn unfavourable behaviours-to hold
prejudices or to restrict their output, for ex-as well as favourable behaviours.
Second, the change must be relatively permanent. Temporary changes may be
only reflexive and fail to represent any learning. Therefore, this requirement
rules out behavioural changes caused by fatigue or temporary adaptations.
Third, our definition is concerned with behaviour. Learning takes place where
there is a change in actions. A change in an individuals thought processes or
attitudes, if accompanied by no change in behaviour, would not be learning.
Finally, some form of experience is necessary for learning. This may be
acquired directly through observation or practice.

The Learning Process

The learning process is a mental and habit formation process. Attention

is paid to certain stimuli used for learning which are recognized and translated
into reinforcement and behaviour. If the learner gets a reward for his improved
behaviour, he forms it into behaviour. Proper habits motivate the employee
who makes efforts in the right direction. The efforts result in satisfaction and
become a stimulus for further learning. This process continues and the
employee learns in the process.

Stimuli Attention Recognition Translation

Reinforcement

Behaviour

Efforts Motives Habit Reward

Fig.7. The Learning Process

REINFORCEMENT: Reinforcement is the crucial factor in the learning
process. This is also known as the method of shaping employees’ behaviour.
Perception becomes learning only through reinforcement.

Perception = Stimuli Attention Recognition

Translation Behaviour

Learning = Stimuli Attention Recognition

Translation

Reinforcement Behaviour Habit.

Reinforcement is the instrument or process of learning

Learning = Input Process Output

= Stimuli Reinforcement Behaviour

Table 4 : Types of Reinforcement (Learning):

Types of Learning Contingent Consequences

Positive reinforcement Favourable and pleasant
Favourable and desirable
stimuli behaviour
Negative reinforcement Favourable and pleasant
Unfavourable and
stimuli undesirable behaviour
avoided
Punishment Undesirable stimuli Undesirable behaviour
prevented
Extinction Stimuli avoided (no Undesirable behaviour
reinforcement) ignored.

OB MODIFICATION

1. Identification of Behaviour : The first step in the modification of

employee behaviour is to identify favourable behaviour as being
distinctive from unfavourable behaviour. Unfavourable behaviour is to
be avoided, while favourable behaviour is to be strengthened.

2. Measurement of Behaviour : The types of behaviour, which are

identified, must be measured to find out their impact on performance
and productivity. The manager and supervisor who are closely
associated with the employees should honestly record the behaviour
without any bias and its impact on performance. Self-reporting and self-
 appraisal systems are adopted in many organizations to give employees
a sense of responsibility and realize the importance of proper behaviour.

3. Analysis of behaviour: Behavioural analysis is done on the basis of

cause – consequences relationships and cognitive processes. It will
reveal the impact of unfavourable behaviour on performance. The
behaviour is to be modified as revealed by analysis.

4. Intervention: Modification of behaviour is possible through

intervention, i.e. reinforcement which may be positive or negative.
Punishment and extinction are also used for the modification of
behaviour. Intervention is used to strengthen desirable and weaken
undesirable behaviour.

5. Evaluation of behaviour: Systematic evaluation of behaviour helps in

modification and improvement for achieving favourable behaviour and
performance. It involves reaction, learning, change and improvement of
behaviour. Modification of behaviour lays emphasis on self
management. Employees are motivated to manage their own behaviour.
They are given opportunities for self-learning, self-monitoring and
adopting favourable behaviour. Incentives to self-learning help self-
modification. Responsibility – oriented employees are accustomed to
self-learning and self-modification.

THEORIES OF LEARNING
There are four theories which explain how individuals learn new
patterns of behaviour.

1. Classical conditioning: Classical conditioning deals with the

association of one event with another desired event resulting in a desired
behaviour or learning. It is a type of conditioning where an individual
responds to some stimulus that would invariably produce such a
response. Learning through classical conditioning was first studied by
Ivan Pavlov, a famed Nobel Prize winning Physiologist, at the turn of
the 20th century.

Pavlov conducted an experiment on a dog to study the relation between

the dog’s salivation and the ringing of a bell. A simple surgical
procedure helped him to measure accurately the amount of saliva
secreted by the dog. When Pavlov presented a piece of meat to the dog,
he noticed a great deal of salivation. He termed the food an
unconditioned response. When the dog saw the meat, it salivated.
During the second stage, Pavlov merely rang a bell (neutral stimuls), the
dog did not salivate. Pavlov subsequently introduced the sound of the
bell each time the meat was given to the dog. Thus meat and ringing of
the bell were linked together. The dog eventually learnt to salivate in
 response to the ringing of the bell even when there was no meat. Pavlov
conditioned the dog to respond to a learned stimulus.

Thorndike called this the “law of exercise” which states that behaviour
can be learned by repetitive association between a stimulus and a
response.

Fig: 8 Stages in classical conditioning

I Before conditioning

US UR
(Meat)
(salivation)
Neutral stimulus No
response
(Bell)

II During conditioning

CS
(Bell)

US UR
(Meat)
(salivation)

III After conditioning

CS CR
(Bell)
(salivation)

The meat was an unconditioned stimulus (US). It invariably caused the dog to
react in a specific way, i.e, noticeable increase in salivation. This reaction is
called the unconditioned response (UR). The bell was a conditioned stimulus
(CS). It was originally neutral. But when the bell was linked with the meat (an
unconditioned stimulus), it eventually produced a response. After conditioning,
the dog started salivating in response to the ringing of the bell alone. In other
words, conditional stimulus (CS) led to conditioned response (CR).

Classical conditioning represents only a very small part of total human

learning. So it has a limited value in the study of organizational behaviour. In
the words of S.P.Robbins, “Classical conditioning is passive”. Something
happens and we react in a specific or particular way. It is elicited in response to
a specific identifiable event and as such it explains simple and reflexible
behaviours. But behaviour of people in organizations is emitted rather than
elicited.

The learning of complex behaviours can be better understood by looking at

operant conditioning”.

2. Operant Conditioning: Operant is defined as behaviour that produces

effect. Operant conditioning is based on the work of B.F. Skinner who
advocated that individuals emit responses that are rewarded and will not emit
responses that are either not rewarded or are punished. Operant conditioning is
voluntary or learned behaviour and it is determined, maintained and controlled
by its consequence.

Operant conditioning is based on the premise that behaviour is a

function of its consequences. People learn to behave to get something they
desire or to avoid something they do not like. Behaviour is likely to be repeated
if the consequences are favourable and it is not likely to be repeated if the
consequences are unfavourable. Thus, the relationship between behaviour and
consequences is the essence of operant conditioning.

3. Cognitive Learning: Cognitive learning is learning achieved by thinking

about the perceived relationship between events and individual goals and
expectations. For instance, the process motivation theories deal with explaining
“why” people decide to do things. They do so by examining how people come
to view various work activities as perceived opportunities to satisfy needs,
pursue desired rewards, and eliminate felt inequities.

Cognition refers to an individual’s ideas, thoughts, knowledge,

interpretations, understandings, etc, about himself and his environment.
Cognitive theorists argue that the learner forms a cognitive structure in
memory, which preserves and organizes information about the various events
that occur in a learning situation. The cognitive theory recognizes the role of
an organism in receiving, memorizing, retrieving and interpreting the stimulus
and reacting to it.

4. Social Learning: Social learning is learning achieved through the reciprocal

interactions between people, behaviour and their environment. Social learning
theory integrates the cognitive and operant approaches to learning. It
recognizes the importance of consequences as determinants of behaviour. It
also emphasizes that people acquire new behaviours by observing and imitating
others in the social setting.
 People learn through observation and direct experience. Social learning can
also take place via (i) Modeling or vicarious learning; (ii) symbolism and (iii) self
control. Through vicarious learning or modeling, people acquire behaviours by
directly observing and imitating others. When the “models” such as the manager or a
co-worker, demonstrate desirable behaviours it can have major impact on a person’s
work efforts. Many patterns of behaviours are learned by watching the behaviour of
models such as parents, teachers, superiors, film starts etc.
ATTITUDES
Meaning: Attitudes are our feelings, thoughts and behavioral tendencies
towards a specific object or situation. Attitude is a predisposition to respond to
a certain set of facts. Attitudes are evaluative statements – either favourable or
unfavorable, concerning the objects, people or events. In the language of the
layman, we may describe an attitude as the way we feel about something. This
may be a feeling towards college, cricket team, temple, democracy, parents,
things, ideas, policies and so on.

Characterstics of Attitudes

Attitudes can be distinguished in terms of (characterized by) their valence,

multiplexity, relation to needs, and centrality.

1. Valence: It refers to the magnitude or degree of favourableness or

unfavourableness towards the object / event. If a person is relatively
indifferent towards an object then his attitude has low valence. On
the contrary, if a person is extremely favourable or unfavorable
towardss an attitude object, then his attitude will have a high valence.

2. Multiplexity: It refers to the number of elements constituting the

attitude. For example, one student may show interest in studies, but
another shows interest, in addition works hard, sincere and serious.
Similarly, an employee may feel simply loyal to an organisation. But
another may feel loyal, respectful, fearful and dependent.

3. Relation to needs: Attitudes can also vary in relation to the needs

they serve. For instance, attitudes of an individual towards the
pictures may serve only entertainment needs. On the other hand,
attitudes of an individual towards task may serve strong needs for
security, achievement, recognition and satisfaction.

4. Centrality: It refers to the importance of the attitude object to the

individual. The attitudes which have high centrality for an individual
will be less succeptible to change.
 Components of an Attitude

The structure of a person’s attitude consists of three vital components-affective,

cognitive and over (Fig.9)
Affection
Stimulus Attitudes
Cognition

Behaviour

1.Affective component: The affective component refers to the emotions and

feelings associated with an attitude object. This component is often expressed
as like or dislike, good or bad, pleasing or displeasing, favourable or
unfavourable.

In work organisations, the examples of affective components of a person x

attitude towards Y may be:

X dislikes Y on personal grounds

X dislikes Y because he is liked by employer
X dislikes Y because he makes more money than X
X dislikes Y because he takes good decisions despite the lack
of experience and training.

2. Cognitive component: Cognitive component represents the beliefs

perceptions and opinions of a person about an attitude object. The beliefs may
be based on a variety of learning experiences, rumours, misunderstandings, or
any other information. You may believe that the manager is intelligent, or
stupid, ethical or unethical, good or bad, or autocrat or democrat.

3. Overt component: It is also know as “behavioural” component or

“conative” component. This component is concerned with the way one intends
to behave a particular attitude object. Both the affective and cognitive
components (feelings and beliefs) influence the way a person intends to behave
towards an attitude object. For instance, if a person has a negative feeling or
belief towards an object, he will be likely to behave negatively towards the
object.

Attitudes and Behaviour

The relationship between attitudes and behaviour is highly controversial. On

one side, cognitive theorists believe that changes in attitudes affect the
behaviour of individuals. In other words, change in behaviour calls for a
change in attitudes of individuals. On the other side of argument, some
theorists like Bem and others believe that changes in behaviour affect the
attitude of individuals.
Perhaps the most famous research on this topic “behaviour and attitudes” was
conducted by Richard La piere. Long back (from 1930 to 1932) La piere and a
Chinese couple traveled around the entire USA by car. These people visited
251 restaurants and received warm welcome and were treated magnificently
well. But after six months when La piere sent letters to the restaurants asking
whether Chinese clientele would be accommodated, surprisingly over 93% of
the respondents said “no” – i.e. Chinese would not be accommodated.

The essence of La Piere’s work is that people acted in one way i.e. friendly and
hospitably, whereas they responded to Chinese in a different way i.e. negative
aspects and beliefs about Chinese. In other words, clearly there was a
discrepancy between the actual behaviour and reported attitude. The results of
this research created an uproar among behavioural scientists who then
attempted to define, redefine, measure and develop new theories of attitudes.,
Out of the refinement came some generalizations about attitudes and
behaviour.

1. First of all, the more specific the measurement of attitude, the more it is
to be related to the behaviour. La piere obtained extremely discrepant
information about the prejudice towards Chinese people in America. He
simply asked about Chinese people in general. He did not actually
measure the attitude.
2. Attitudes are related to behaviour. There is no doubt about it, but they
are influenced by situational factors such as pressures by union, top
management etc.

Cognitive Dissonance theory: In the late 50s Leon Festinger advocated the
“Cognitive Dissonance theory”. It explains the linkage between attitudes and
behaviour of employees.

Dissonance refers to a psychological inconsistency among different cognitions

associated with internal attitudes and behaviour. Dissonance means simply
inconsistency. Two cognitions are said to be in a dissonant (inconsistent)
relation if one implies the opposite of the other. For instance, the cognition that
“a person is a chain – smoker” is highly inconsistent with “cigarette smoking is
extremely injurious and cancerous to health”. Festinger argued that any kind of
inconsistency is uncomfortable and the individual attempts to reduce
dissonance and hence discomfort. Research also concluded that people, in
general, seek to reduce dissonance by whatever the means.

Attitude Formation

The question often arises “where do attitudes comefrom”? Attitudes are

basically learned. People are not born with specific attitudes, rather they
acquire them through the “process of learning”. The determinants of a person’s
attitudes are as follows:

1. Experience: Individuals learn attitudes through job experiences. They

develop attitudes about such factors as salary, performance reviews, job
design, work group affiliation and managerial capabilities.

2. Association: The major groups, associations, geographic region,

religion, educational background, race, sex, age and income – class
strongly influence our attitudes.

3. Family: Individuals develop certain attitudes from their family members

– parents, brothers, sisters, etc.
4. Peer groups: As people approach their adulthood, they increasingly rely
on their peer groups for approval, attitude. We often seek out others
who share attitudes similar to our own, or else we change our attitudes
to confirm to the attitudes of those in the group whose approval is
important to us.

5. Society: Social class, religious affiliation, culture, languages and the

structure of society influence the formation of attitudes. For ex., the
attitudes of Russians towards communism are radically different from
those held by an average American.

6. Personality factors: Personality factors such as individuality, self –

confidence, independence, creativity, innovation, defensiveness etc.,
also determine the formation of attitudes.

Measurement of Attitudes

The most common and frequently used measures of attitudes are the
questionnaires which ask the respondents to evaluate and rate the attitude
towards a particular object directly and to respond favourably or unfavourably
about their belief regarding the attitude object. Different types of scales are in
use with respect to measurement of attitudes, viz. Thurstone’s scale, Likert’s
scale, Bogardus’s social distance scale, Guttman’s scale etc., Let us throw a
dim light on these scales.

1. Thurstone’s scale: About six decades back Thurstone collected a

large number of statements relating to the areas in which attitudes
were to be measured. The statements may relate to any object – for
example, religion, education, war, peace, etc. The statements, both
favourable and unfavourable are placed into eleven piles; 1
representing the most favourable and “11” representing the
unfavourable. Individuals will then be asked to check those
statements with which they agreed. The average of the scale values
 of the items which they accepted will give an indication of the
placement of a person along the attitude continuum. For ex. if the
average happens to be low, this would indicate high degree of
favourableness in attitudes in this particular area and if the average
happens to be high, this indicates low degree of favourableness in
attitudes in the area.

2. Likert’s scale: Another scale that is relatively easy when compared

to Thurstone’s scale is the one developed by Rensis Likert.

Strongly Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly

agree (neutral) disagree
5 4 3 2 1

Likert’s scale consists of five boxes ranging from strongly agree to

strongly disagree. Under each statement of attitude the respondents will be
given a chance to check one of five boxes and finally all the ratings will be
summed up. The Likert’s scale is also called a summed – rating measure. The
summed – rating scale provides a means of measuring the intensity of one’s
attitude towards a particular object or even in addition to the direction.

Likert’s scale is more reliable and valid than Thurstone’s scale.

3. Bogardus’s social distance scale: Perhaps the simplest scale of measuring

attitudes was the social distance scale developed by Bogardus in 1925. The
scale is composed of a large number of statements regarding national, racial
or ethnic groups. Bogardus used a seven point scale.

4. Guttman’s scale: Guttman developed a cumulative scaling technique to

measure attitudes in 1950. If a person gets a higher scale than another
person on a particular set of items, we can easily determine his position for
every single item. For ex. in the case of one’s attitude towards work, an
employee might be pressured with six statements displaying successively
higher degrees of dissatisfaction. It is assumed that the employee will reach
some point beyond which he can no longer agree. The main threshold is
considered to be the degree of satisfaction.

There are many other good scales to measure attitudes. Edward and Kilpatrik
attempted to synthesize and integrate the Likert’s Thurstone’s and Guttman’s
approaches, with a technique called “scale discriminations”. Here are six
response categories ranging from strongly agree, agree, mildly agree, mildly
disagree, disagree and strongly disagree.

Changing the attitudes

Managers are often confronted with the problem of changing attitudes of
individual employees. Attitude changes may be classified into congruent and
incongruent changes. By congruent change we mean a movement in the same
direction. For ex. Conversion of a mild pro-war attitude into even more pro-war
is called congruent attitude change. On the other hand, conversion of a pro-war
attitude into anti-war constitutes incongruent attitude change.
An incongruent attitude change involves a change towards the other end of the
continnum (in the opposite direction). Similarly turning dislike into like,
unfavourableness into favourableness are also examples of incongruent attitude
changes.

A manager attempting to change an individual employee’s attitudes should

keep in mind the following factors.

1. The characteristics of the communicator

2. The method of communication
3. The characteristics of the persons to be influenced
4. Situational factors

1. The characteristics of the communicator: One very important variable is

status of the manager. The higher the status of the manager the higher the
probability that he will be able to change the employee’s attitude. Another
important variable is the amount of prestige he carries on his head. The high
prestige communicator produces the greatest amount of attitude change.

Changing attitude is also a function of the trust in the communicator by the

employees. If the employees have faith in the manager, they accept the
message and change their attitudes correspondingly. Finally, if a manager is
liked by his subordinates, he is likely to be successful in bringing changes in
the attitudes of his subordinates.

2. The Method of communication: Another influential factor in attitude

change is the way the manager communicates the message to his employees.
Communication should be easy and convincing so that it creates changes
without any discomfort. A participative two-way effective communication is
essential in bringing changes in the attitudes of employees. Empathy in
communication is very important to make communication more effective.

3.The characteristics of the Target: The most important factor influencing

the attitude change is the degree of commitment of the target (employees) to
the initial attitude. And to change the attitude would be to admit the mistakes.
Firmly held attitudes which people are behaviourally or morally committed are
difficult to change. Further more, people who appear to be self-confident,
strong and high self-esteem are difficult to change because they feel their
attitudes are correct.
4. Situational factors: Situational factors are not only extensive but also play a
major role in influencing the change in attitudes of people. Situational factors
include the prevailing context, impact of group on individual members etc.

Attitudes and Productivity

The relationship between attitudes of the employees and their

productivity is highly controversial. A number of studies have attempted to
analyse this relationship but to date no close correlation has been established.
The results are inconclusive. Let us analyse briefly the important studies.

Attitude Towards Employees and Operating Efficiency

On this subject, research was conducted by the University of Michigan

(Institute for social research). In one study of a big company it had been found
that employees in high producing sections were found to have no more
favorable attitudes towards the organization than those in low-producing
sections engaged in the same kind of work. The distribution of employees into
the various attitude groups is as follows:
Percentage of employees whose
Satisfaction with company is

High Average Low

High-producing sections 37% 39% 24%

Low-producing sections 40% 40% 20%

The figures reveal no correlation between the general attitudes and

productivity. When the study was repeated in other situations once again it
revealed the similar results. Surprisingly, these studies suggest that the
employees with favorable attitudes towardss the organization are unlikely to be
more productive than those with relatively unfavourable attitudes. Likert,
however suggested that the nature of work seems to affect this relationship. He
contends that in the case of varied tasks, a positive correlation exists between
productivity and attitudes. On the contrary, in the case of repetitive tasks there
is no correlation between these two variables.

Another important factor is time. Some research studies reveal a positive

correlation between attitudes and employees’ productivity when the data are
analysed over an appreciable period of time. The essence is that some time
span is required for a change in managerial behaviour to show up in employee
attitudes and productivity.
Specific Job attitudes and Productivity: Often we assume that a happy
employee is a productive employee. But this is highly questionable as has been
discussed above. However, it is quite likely that some specific attitudes might
have a direct and positive correlation with employee performance and
productivity.

Robert L.Kahn conducted a research to see such relationship in insurance

company and another study in maintenance-of-way of rail road. Both the
studies revealed a lack of correlation.

In another study by Brayfield and Crockett, low positive relationships between

Job satisfaction and job performance existed in two of the fifteen comparisons
of homogeneous occupational groups. However in one study conducted more
recently by Fredrick Herzberg, Bernard Mausner and Snyderman, it is
concluded that there exists a positive relationship between specific job attitudes
and output or productivity.
 PERCEPTION
Perception is much more complex and much broader than sensation. The
perceptual process can be defined as a complicated interaction of selection,
organisation, and interpretation. Although perception depends largely upon the
sense for raw-data, cognitive process may filter, modify, or completely change
these data. A simple illustration may be seen by looking at one side of a
stationary object, for ex, a statue or a tree. By slowly turning the eyes to the
other side of the object, the person probably senses that the object is moving.
Yet the person perceives the object as stationary. The perceptual process
overcomes the sensual process and the person “sees” the object as stationary.

Sub-processes of perception

The following Figure Shows how several sub-processes relate to one another
B C

punishment or some
(eg. Reinforcement
CONSEQUENCE
BACK for

as rushing off or
Kinestheti

psycholog
clarificati

orgnl. Outcome)
(e.g) over such
BEHAVIOUR

covert such as
on (eg.
FEED

an attitude)
ical)
c or
INTERPRET

productivity)
stimulus (eg.
Motivation,
learning &

O
ATION
Of the

Fig. 10 The Sub-Processes of perception

REGISTRATI

mechanisms)
(eg. Sensory
Of stimulus

and newral
ON
CONFRONT

supervisor or
stimulus (eg

procedure)
ATION of
specific

new

S
Sensual Stimulation

Research laboratory

Management styles

Discrimination etc
Environment

Sociocultural
Factory floor

Environment
environment

PERCEPTUAL SELECTIVITY
Climate etc.
External

Physical

Values
Office

Store
 PERCEPTUAL SELECTIVITY

External Attention Factors: Various external and internal attention factors

affect perceptual selectivity. The external factors consist of outside
environmental influences such as intensity, size, contrast, repetition, motion
and novelty and familiarity.

1. Intensity: The intensity principle of attention states that the more intense
the external stimulus, the more likely it is to be perceived. A loud noise, or
bright light will be noticed more than a soft sound or dim light.
Advertisers use intensity to gain the consumers’ attention. Examples
include bright packaging and television commercials that are slightly louder
than the regular programme.

2. Size: Closely related to intensity is the principle of size. It says that the
larger the object, the more likely it will be perceived. The maintenance
engineering staff may pay more attention to a big machine than to a smaller
one, even though the smaller one costs as much and is as important to the
operation. In advertising, a full page spread is more attention-getting than a
few lines in the classified section.

3.Contrast: The contrast principle states that external stimuli which stand
out against background or which are not what people are expecting will
receive their attention. The following figure 11 demonstrates this perceptual
principle.

The black circle on the right appears much larger than the one on the left
because of the contrast with the background circles. Both black circles are
exactly the same size.

4. Repetition: The repetition principle states that a repeated external

stimulus is more attention-getting than a single one. Thus, a worker will
 generally “hear” better when directions for a dull task are given more than
once. Advertisers trying to create a unique image for a product which is
undifferentiated from its competitors – such medicine, soap and deodorant –
rely heavily on repetitious advertising.

5. Motion: The motion principle says that people will pay more attention to
moving objects in their field of vision than they will to stationary objects.
Workers will notice materials moving by them on a conveyor belt, but they
may fail to give proper attention to the maintenance needs of the stationary
machine next to them.

6. Novelty and Familiarity: The novelty and familiarity principle states

that either a novel or a familiar external situation can serve as an attention
getter. New objects or events in a familiar setting or familiar objects or
events in a new setting will draw the attention of the perceiver. Job rotation
is an example of this principle. Changing workers’ jobs from time to time
will tend to increase the attention they give to the task.

Internal set factors:

The concept of set is an important cognition in selectivity. It can be

thought of as an internal form of attention-getting and is based largely on the
individual’s complex psychological make up. People will select out stimuli or
situations from the environment that appeal to and are compatible with their
learning, motivation, and personality. A brief discussion of these factors will
help in the understanding of perception.

1. Learning and Perception: Although inter-related with motivation and

personality, learning may play the single biggest role in developing perceptual
set. Read the sentence in the triangle below. (Fig.12)

TURN OFF
THE THE
ENGINE

It may take several seconds to realise there is something wrong. Because of

familiarity with the sentence from prior learning, the person is perceptually set
to read “Turn off the engine”. This illustration shows that learning affects set
by creating an expectancy to perceive in a certain manner. Such expectancies
are a vital element in the cognitive explanations of behaviour.
This view states simply that people see and hear what they expect to see and
hear. This can be further demonstrated by pronouncing the following words
very slowly.

M-A-C-T-A-V-I-S-H

M-A-C-D-O-N-A-L-D

M-A-C-B-E-R-T-H

M-A-C-H-I-N-E-R-Y

If the last word was pronounced “Mac-Hinery” instead of “Machinery”, the

reader was caught in a verbal response set.

2. Perceptual set in the workplace: Perceptual set has many direct

implications for organizational behaviour. In organizational life, some
employees have learned to perceive the world around them in the same way.
For example, the single sentence “I cannot recommend this young man too
highly” was reproduced and distributed to several managers in the same
organization. Although this statement is ambiguous and unclear, without
exception all the managers interpreted this to be a positive recommendation.
They had all learned to perceive this statement the same way – positive and
favourable.

3. Motivation and Perception: Besides the learned aspects of perceptual set,

motivation also has a vital impact on perceptual selectivity. The primary
motives of sex and hunger could be used to demonstrate the role that
motivation plays in perception.

In traditional Amercian culture, the sex drive has been

largely suppressed, with the result being an unfulfilled need
for sex. Accordingly, any mention of sex or a visual stimulus
dealing with sex is very attention-getting to the average
American.

The secondary motives also play an important role in developing

perceptual set. A person who has a relatively high need for power, affiliation or
achievement will be more attentive to the relevant situational variables.

4. Personality and Perception: Closely related to learning and motivation is

the personality of the perceiving person, which affects what is attended to in
the confronting situation. For example,. Senior-level executives often complain
that the new young “hot shots” have trouble making the “tough” personnel
decisions concerning terminating or reassigning people and paying attention to
details and paperwork. The young managers, in turn, complain about the “old
guard” resisting change and using rules and paper works as ends in themselves.
The Senior – and Junior-level executives personalities largely explain these
perceptions. There is also a generation gap that may contribute to differing
perceptions. An example can be found in the perceptions of modern movies.
Older people tend either to be disgusted by or to not understand some of the
popular movies of recent years. Those in the 35-45 age group tend to perceive
these movies as “naughty but neat”. Young, college-age people tend to
perceive them as “Where it’s at”.

MORALE

Definition: According to Dale S Beach, “morale is the total satisfaction a

person derives from his job, his work group, his boss, his organization and his
environment”. Morale is defined as, “a composite of feelings, attitudes, and
sentiments that contribute to general feelings of satisfaction”. In this
connection morale is understood as one’s attitude towards accomplishing his
work rather than emotions he displays during work. It is a state of mind and
spirit, affecting willingness to work, which in turn affects organizational and
individual objectives.

Factors Influencing Morale

The factors affecting morale of employees in a work organization can be

logically grouped under the following two categories: external and internal.

1. External Factors (Exogenous factors): These comprise of the

personality of the individual employee, his psychological make – up,
level of intelligence, his physical health, family background and
relations with social groups and friends. These factors influence his
perceptions, attitudes that, in turn, affects the morale.

2. Internal factors (Endogenous factors): These are the factors that come
under the domain of control of management. These include:

i) Organizational goals – worthwhile, valid and useful – high

morale.
ii) Organizational structure – clear, specific lines of authority and
well defined responsibility – high morale.
iii) Nature of work – dull, monotonous and repetitive jobs – low
morale; challenging tasks – high morale.
iv) Working conditions – Favourable and conductive working
conditions – a clear, safe, comfortable, and pleasant environment
– high morale.
v) Management philosophy – It is generally felt that a participative
style will enhance morale and a directive style will have a
negative impact on the morale.
 vi) Compensation – Inadequate compensation leads to low morale
and low job satisfaction and may also result in low productivity.
vii) Groups – social forces and work groups also exert strong
influence on the individual perceptions and attitudes and to this
extent the morale of individual employees will also be affected.

MORALE AND PRODUCTIVITY

There is a kind of pervasive feeling that morale and productivity go hand in

hand, i.e. the higher the morale, the higher will be the productivity and vice –
versa. Though some positive correlation exists between these two morale and
productivity, they are not absolutely related. That is to say, an increase of 20%
in morale does not necessarily result in a proportionate rise in productivity and
vice – versa. The relationship between these two can better be made clear
through the following diagram.

The natural tendency of high – morale – high – productivity is dismissed by

Keith Davis who contends that “there is not always a positive correlation
between the two”. A supervisor can push 1 2
for higher productivity by making use of High morale High morale
time and motion studies, scientific High productivity Low Productivity
management, and close supervision.
Morale

3 4
Similarly, employees may not feel Low Morale Low morale
committed to gals, but are merely satisfied High Productivity Low Productivity
with their working conditions. For instance,
the morale of a University Lecturer may be high even though productivity is
low. In some cases, high morale leads to high productivity when employees
are properlyProductivity
motivated and the supervisors are considerable.
Fig.13 Relationship between morale & Productivity

Measurement of Morale

How can a Company (organization) check to see whether its employees have
relatively high morale? The answer lies in measurement of morale. Normally,
organizations measure morale by collection of necessary morale information.
A typical method of study is an opinion attitude or morale survey. Besides
morale surveys, there are some other indicators and sources of information with
the help of which morale can be measured.

1. Morale surveys: Morale surveys are conducted through questionnaires.

The questionnaires may be i) objective, ii) Descriptive or iii) Projective
2. Some Morale indicators: Although there are no hard and fast rules
about the morale indicators, the following are frequently considered as having
correlation to morale.

i) Labour turnover
ii) Productivity
iii) Waste and Scrap
iv) Absenteeism and tardiness
v) Quality records
vi) Grievances
vii) Exit interviews
viii) Medical records

Effective use of Morale Information

The information is useful for:

1. Understanding the level of morale

2. Effective communication
3. Improving attitudes
4. Training
Building Morale: (Increasing Morale)

Management can build high group morale in the following ways:

1. Participation of individuals and groups in decision – making

2. Appropriate style of leadership – democratic leadership style
3. Working with Informal leaders
4. Proper supervision and good control over records to control
employee turnover, absenteeism, and tardiness.
5. Transfer and job rotation to overcome fatigue and monotony.
 MOTIVATION
Meaning : Motivation is a basic psychological process, Technically, the
term ‘motivation’ can be traced to the Latin word ‘movere’, which means “to
move”. This meaning is evident in the following comprehensive definition: “A
motive is an inner state that energizes, activates or moves (hence) motivation”
and that directs or channels behaviour towards goals”. The key to
understanding motivation lies in the meaning of, and relationship between,
needs, drives, and goals.

THE BASIC MOTIVATION PROCESS

NEEDS ------------------------ DRIVES -------------------------------- GOALS

(Deprivation) (Deprivation with (Reduction of
Direction) drives)

1. Needs: The best one-ward definition of a need is deficiency. For

example, a need exists when a cell in the body is deprived of food and
water.

2. Drives: Drives or motives are set up to alleviate needs. A drive

can simply be defined as a deficiency with direction. The examples of
the needs for food and water are translated into the hunger and thirst
drives, and the need for friends becomes a drive for affiliation.

3. Goals: At the end of the motivation cycle is the goal. A goal in

the motivation cycle can be defined as anything which will alleviate a
need and reduce a drive. Food, Water and Friends are the goals in our
examples.

TYPES OF MOTIVES

Primary Motives: Hunger, thirst, sleep, avoidance of pain, sex etc, are
classified as primary motives.

General Motives: The motives of competence, curiosity, manipulation

activity, and affection are called general motives.

Secondary Motives: Power, achievement, affiliation, security and status

are important secondary motives.
 FINANCIAL AND NON – FINANCIAL REWARDS

FINANCIAL REWARDS:

1. Basic pay

2. Dearness Allowance (DA)

3. House Rent Allowance (HRA)

4. City Compensatory Allowance (CCA)

5. Overtime Allowance (OT)

6. Leave Travel Concession (LTC)

7. Incentive Plans (Piece rates, Bonus or Profit sharing)

8. Medical benefits

9. Provident Fund

10. Gratuity

11. Pension Fund

12. Group – linked insurance scheme

13. Accident and death compensation while on duty

14. ESI benefits

15. Leave with pay

16. Education allowances

NON – FINANCIAL REWARDS:

The following table summaries some of the major categories of non – financial
rewards. Even though these are considered non – financial, they may still cost
the organization.
 THEORIES OF MOTIVATION

I. THE CONTENT THEORIES OF WORK MOTIVATION

The content theories of work motivation attempt to determine what it is that

motivates people at work. They are concerned with the types of incentives or
goals that people strive to attain in order to be satisfied and perform well.
Now, let us discuss four important content theories of motivation in the
following section.

1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Abraham Maslow thought that a

person’s motivational needs can be arranged in a hierarchical manner. In
essence, he believed that once a given level of need is satisfied, it no longer
serves to motivate. The next higher level of need has to be activated in order to
motivate the individual Maslow identified five levels in his need hierarchy.

Self - actualization

Esteem Needs

Love Needs

Safety Needs

Physiological Needs

Fig.14 Maslow’s hierarchy of Needs

1. Physiological needs: The needs of hunger, thirst, sleep and sex are
physiological needs. According to the theory, once these basic needs are
satisfied, they no longer motivate.

2. Safety needs: Maslow stressed emotional as well as physical safety. The

whole organization may become a safety – seeking mechanism. For example,
membership in a trade union is a safety need. Once these safety needs are
satisfied, they no longer motivate.

3. Love needs: Maslow’s use of the word love has many misleading
connotations, such as sex, which is actually a physiological need. Perhaps a
more appropriate word describing this level would be belongingness or
affiliation. Membership in formal and informal work groups is a belongingness
need.
4. Esteem needs: The esteem level represents the higher needs of humans.
The needs for power, achievement, and status can be considered to be part of
this level.

5. Needs for self – actualization: This level represents the culmination of all
the lower, intermediate, and higher needs of humans. People, who have
become self – actualized, are self fulfilled and have realized all their potential.
Self – actualization is the person’s motivation to transform perception of self
into reality.

2.Herzberg’s Two – Factor Theory

According to Herzberg, there are satisfiers and dis-satisfiers in a job for the
individuals. Herzberg labeled satisfiers motivators, and he called the
dissatisfiers hygiene factors. Taken together, they became known as
Herzberg’s two – factor theory of motivation.

Herzberg’s theory is closely related to Maslow’s need hierarchy. The hygiene

factors are preventive and environmental in nature, and they are roughly
equivalent to Maslow’s lower – level needs.

Figure 15. Herzberg’s Two – factor theory:

Hygiene Factors Motivators

Company policy and Administration Achievement

Technical supervision Recognition

Salary Work itself

Inter-personal relations Responsibility

Working conditions Advancement

These hygiene factors prevent dissatisfaction, but they do not lead to

satisfaction. By themselves, the hygiene factors do not motivate. Only the
motivators motivate humans on the job. They are roughly equivalent to
Maslow’s higher – level needs. According to the Herzberg theory, an
individual must have a job with a challenging content in order to be truly
motivated.
3.Alderfer’s ERG Theory

The most recent extension of the Herzberg and, especially, the Maslow content
theories of work motivation come from the work of Clayton Alderfer. He
formulated a need category model that was more in line with the existing
empirical evidence. Similar to Maslow and Herzberg, he does feel that there is
value in categorizing needs and that here is basic distinction between lower –
order needs and higher order needs.

Alderfer identified three groups of core needs; Existence, Relatedness, and

Growth (hence ERG theory). The existence needs are concerned with survival
(physiological Well-being). The relatedness needs stress the importance of
interpersonal, social relationships. The growth needs are concerned with the
individual’s intrinsic desire for personal development.

Fig 16. Shows how these groups of needs are related to the Maslow and
Herzberg categories. Obviously, they are very close but the ERG needs do not
have strict lines of democration.

Herzberg’s Maslow’s Alderfer’s

Two factors Hierarchy of Needs ERG Needs

SELF – ACTUALIZATION
GROWTH
ESTEEM
MOTIVATORS
RELATEDNESS
LOVE

SAFETY
HYGIENE EXISTENCE
FACTORS
PHYSIOLOGICAL

Figure 16: The relationship between Alderfer’s ERG Needs, Maslow’s Five – level
hierarchy, and Herzberg’s two – factor theory.

Alderfer is suggesting more of a continuous of needs than hierarchical levels or

two factors of prepotency needs. Unlike Maslow and Herzberg, he does not
contend that a lower level need has to be fulfilled before a higher level need is
motivating. For example, under ERG theory the person’s background or
cultural environment may dictate that the relatedness needs will take
precedence cover unfulfilled existence needs and that the more the growth
needs are satisfied, the more they will increase in intensity.
4. McGregor’s ‘Theory X’ and ‘Theory Y’

Douglas McGregor propounded two contrasting theories of human behavior

which he called theory X and theory Y.

Theory X: Theory X indicates the traditional approach to managerial

motivation and control. It represents old stereotyped and authoritarian
management style of motivation. It suggests that threats of punishment and
strict control are the ways to manage people.

Theory Y: Theory Y indicates that if people are properly motivated, they

could really be creative. The main task of management is to unleash the
potential in the employees. An employee who is properly motivated can
achieve his goals by directing his own efforts and, thus, he can help in
accomplishing the organizational goals. This theory emphasizes the
satisfaction of need of the workers. It does not rely heavily on the use of
authority as an instrument of command and control. It suggests that
decentralization and delegation, job enlargement, participation and consultative
management style are the ways to motivate people.

Fig. 17 Comparison of Theory X and Theory Y

Theory X
Based on the assumption that people
are basically lazy and so shirk work
People do not take initiative. They
like to be directed.
People avoid responsibility whenever
possible
For getting things done, people must
be supervised strictly.
Autocratic style of leadership is likely
to be more effective
Applicable to illiterate, unskilled and
lower – level workers
Believes in mental sickness and so
negative motivation of employees
Theory Y
Based on the assumption that people
like work as children like play
People like to take initiative. They
seek self – direction.
People assume responsibility gladly if
conditions are favourable.
People do not require close and strict
supervision for properly performing
their jobs.
Democratic or participative style of
leadership is likely to be more
effective.
Applicable to educated and skilled
employees who occupy high positions
in the organizations.
Believes in mental health and so
positive and intrinsic motivation of
employees
 Appraisal of McGregor’s contribution

Douglas McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y represent extremes to draw the

fencing within which the organizational man is seen to behave. No man would
belong completely to either Theory X or Theory Y. He possesses the traits of
both in varying degrees under different situations. Thus, these theories are
important tools in understanding the behaviour of human beings and in
designing the incentive schemes to motivate the employees. Neither of the two
theories is fully applicable in all the situations and to all types of human beings.
Therefore, the management should use an amalgamation of both the theories to
motivate the different kinds of employees at different levels in the organization.

II. THE PROCESS THEORIES OF WORK MOTIVATION

The content models attempted to identify what motivates people at work (for
example, self – actualization, responsibility, and growth); they tried to specify
correlates of motivated behaviour. The process theories on the other hand, are
more concerned with the cognitive concepts that go into motivation or effort
and, more important, with the way they relate to one another. Now, let us
discuss two important process theories of motivation.

1. Vroom’s Expectancy theory of Motivation:

The following Fig. 18 briefly summarises the vroom model. As shown, the
model is built around the concepts of Valence, Instrumentality and Expectancy
and is commonly called the VIE theory.

Expectancy INSTRUMENTALITIES

First level
Outcome
Outcome 1a
Outcome 1

MOTIVATIONAL Force Outcome 1b

F = Valence X Expectancy

Outcome 2 Outcome 2a

Outcome 2b

Outcome 2c

Fig.18:The Vroom Expectancy, or VIE theory of work motivation

By Valence, Vroom means the strength of an individual’s preference for a
particular outcome. In order for the valence to be positive, the person must
prefer attaining the outcome to not attaining it. A Valence of Zero occurs when
the individual is indifferent towards the outcome; the valence is negative when
the individual prefers not attaining the outcome to attaining it.

According to Vroom, there are tow levels of outcome namely first level
outcome and second level outcome. The first – level outcome is instrumental
in obtaining the second – level outcome. Therefore, the first – level outcome is
called instrumentality input in valence. For ex, assume past performance is the
first – level outcome and promotion is the second – level outcome. Past
performance is instrumental in obtaining promotion. Therefore, past
performance (first – level outcome) is known as instrumentality input in our
example.

Another major variable in the Vroom motivational process is expectancy.

Expectancy is the probability that a particular action or effort will lead to a
particular first – level outcome. Expectancy is different from instrumentality
input in valence. Expectancy relates efforts to first level outcome whereas
instrumentality relates first – level outcome to second – level outcome.

2.The Porter – Lawler Model:

Porter and Lawler start with the premise that motivation (effort or force) does
not equal satisfaction and/or performance. Motivation, satisfaction, and
performance are all separate variables and relate in ways different from what
was traditionally assumed. The following Figure 19 depicts the porter and
Lawler model.

Intrinsic Rewards

Satisfaction
Efforts Performance

Extrinsic
Rewards

Fig.19:Porter and Lawler Model

Effort: Effort is defined as the amount of energy exerted by an employee

on a given task.

Performance: Effort leads to performance. But both may not be equal.

Rewards and Satisfaction: According to Vroom, there are two types of
rewards, viz., intrinsic rewards and extrinsic rewards. Intrinsic rewards refer to
a sense of self – accomplishment and self – actualization. Extrinsic rewards
include working conditions and status. Both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards
lead to satisfaction.

III. CONTEMPORARY THEORIES OF MOTIVATION

1. THEORY ‘Z’

International attention is being focused on the outstanding performance of the

Japanese economy and the success of management practices being adopted by
Japanese firms. Interest in Japanese management has rapidly increased in
America and other countries. William Ouchi made a comparative study of
American and Japanese management practices. He came to the conclusion that
many of the Japanese management practices can be adapted in American
context. He suggested the adoption of Theory Z which represents an
integration of American and Japanese management practices.

Japanese Management: Japanese Management is characterized by the

following principles.

1. Emphasis on the group rather than the individual.

2. Emphasis on human relations rather than functional relationships.
3. Role of top management as generalists and facilitators rather than as
decision – makers.

Table 6 : Comparison of Japanese and American Management styles

Japanese Organizations American Organizations

Lifetime Employment Short – term Employment
Slow Advancement Rapid Advancement
Collective Decision Making Personal Decision Making
Group Responsibilities Individual Responsibilities
Holistic concern for Employees Segmented concern for Employees
General career Specialization in Career

Features of Theory Z

1. Strong bond between the company and the employees

2. Employees’ participation
3. Mutual trust
4. Integrated organization – Team work
5. Human Resources Development
Appraisal of theory Z

Theory Z may suffer from the following drawbacks:

1. Provision of life time employment to employees to develop a strong bond

between the organizations and its employees seems to be misplaced. An
entrepreneur may not like to keep a less productive employee. Moreover,
an employee may leave the organization, if he gets higher emoluments and
other benefits somewhere else. Thus, theory Z fails to motivate those
having higher level needs.

2. Theory Z emphasizes a common culture in the organization. But people

have different backgrounds; they differ in attitudes, values, habits,
languages, religion, etc. Thus, it may not be possible to develop a common
culture in the organization.

3. Involvement of workers through participation in decision – making is very

difficult. The management may dislike this idea because of Theory X
assumptions about people, or the workers may be reluctant to participate in
decision making because of fear of criticism and lack of proper motivation.

4. Theory Z emphasizes organization without any structure. But in a large

organization,the absence of any structure may bring about chaos in the
organization as nobody will know who is responsible to whom.

2. EQUITY THEORY

Many employees are concerned not only with satisfying their own needs but
also compare what others receive. They feel satisfied or dissatisfied with
comparative observations of their friends, neighbours and colleagues. The
equity theory was developed on this hypothesis. Employees feel they are
lacking with the comparison of others possessions. This lacking tension
motivates people to work hard to reach the levels of others. J. Stacy Adams
has propounded that this negative tension provides motivation to employees to
exert themselves. People are motivated by the inequity they note with others.

1. Person’s Outcomes < Other’s Outcomes

Person’s Inputs Other’s Inputs
→ Inequity due to being under rewarded
2. Person’s Outcomes = Other’s Outcomes
Person’s Inputs Other’s Inputs
→ Equity
3. Person’s Outcomes > Other’s Outcomes
Person’s Inputs Other’s Inputs
→ Inequity due to being over rewarded
Inputs refer to education, seniority, work experience, capacity to contribute,
commitment, efforts and job performance. Outcomes refer to direct pay,
bonus, awards, rewards, fringe benefits, recognition and socio – psychological
satisfaction. The equity theory is a cognitive based motivation theory.
Perception plays a great role in motivating a person.

If a person is getting less than another, inequity exists because of being under
rewarded. He tries to improve himself so that he can reach the level of others.
In case both the ratios are equal, equity exists and the person is at a constant
level. He is not motivated on this ground. On the other hand, if a person’s
outcome as compared to his input is more than others in terms of his inputs, the
person is over rewarded and tries hard to remain higher than those of others.

3. THE ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION

Characteristics of high achievers:

David C McClelland, a Harvard psychologist is most closely associated with

study of the achievement motive. Beginning in 1947, McClelland thoroughly
investigated and wrote about all aspects of n Ach (achievement). Out of this
extensive research has emerged a clear profile of the characteristics of the high
achiever. Very simply, the achievement motive can be expressed as a desire to
perform in terms of a standard of excellence or to be successful in competitive
situations. The specific characteristics of a high achiever can be summarized
as follows:

1. Moderate risk taking: Low achievers take either a high or low risk, and
high achievers take a moderate risk.

2. Need for immediate feedback: People with high n Ach prefer activities
which provide immediate and precise feedback information on how they are
progressing towards a goal. High achievers tend to be more satisfied in jobs or
careers, such as sales or certain managerial positions, in which they are
frequently evaluated by specific performance criteria. On the other end of the
scale, high achievers tend to be frustrated in research and development or
teaching, where feedback on performance is very imprecise, vague.

3. Satisfaction with accomplishment perse: High achievers find

accomplishing a task intrinsically satisfying in and of itself or they do not
expect or necessarily want the accompanying material rewards. A good
illustration of this characteristic involves money, but not for the usual reasons
of wanting money for its own sake or for the material benefits that it can buy.
Rather, high n Ach people look at money as a form of feedback or
measurement of how they are doing. Given the choice between a simple task
with a good payoff for accomplishment, and a more difficult task with a lesser
payoff, other things being equal, high achievers generally choose the latter.
4. Preoccupation with the tasks: Once high achievers select a goal, they tend
to be totally preoccupied with the task until it is successfully completed. They
cannot stand to leave a job half finished and are not satisfied with themselves
until they have given their maximum efforts. High achievers often strike others
as being unfriendly and as “loners”. They tend to be very realistic about their
abilities and do not allow other people to get in the way of their goal
accomplishments. Obviously, with this type of approach, high achievers do not
always get along well with other people.

The four characteristics noted above have evolved out of McClelland’s basic
research over the years. More recently, Jay Hall and his colleagues have
reported the results of a comprehensive study that compared the managerial
styles and methods of 16,000 high – medium – low – achieving managers. The
following are some of their major finding.

1. Low n Ach mangers are pessimistic and have a basic distrust of the
intent and competence of their subordinates. High n Ach managers are
optimistic and view their subordinates favourably.

2. High n ach managers are concerned with aspects of the job that provide
personal fulfillment; they talk to their subordinates about these things
and attempt to structure the job so that their subordinates can receive
such fulfillment. On the other hand, moderate achievers are concerned
mainly with status symbols, and low achievers with job security, and
both try to motivate their subordinates the same way.

3. High n Ach managers readily use participative methods with their

subordinates, while moderate and low n Ach managers do not tend to
involve their subordinates in the decision – making process.

4. High n Ach managers tend to be very open in their interactions and

communications with others (both bosses and subordinates), while
moderate achievers are preoccupied with their own ideas and feelings
and low achievers tend to avoid interacting and communicating
altogether.

5. High achievers show concern for both people and production, whereas
moderate achievers show high concern for production and low concern
for people, and low achievers are concerned mainly with self-
preservation and do not seem to care about people or production.
 TABLE 5 :Categories of Non – Financial Rewards

Consumables Manipulatables Visual and Tokens Social Rewards Job Design

Auditory Rewards
Coffee – break Desk Office with a Early time off Friendly greetings Jobs with more
treats Accessories window with pay responsibility
Free Lunches Wall plaques Informal
Food Baskets Company Car Piped – in music Stocks recognition Job rotation
Festival turkeys Watches
Dinners for the Trophies Redecoration of Stock options Formal Special
family on the Commendations work environment acknowledgement assignments
company Rings/tie pins Movie passes of achievement
Company Picnics Appliances and Company literature Cross - training
After – work wine furniture for the Trading stamps Solicitation of
and cheese parties home Private office suggestions Knowledge
Home shop tools Paid-up training
Garden tools Popular speakers or insurance Solicitation of
Clothing lecturers policies advice Authority to
Club privileges schedule own
Use of company Book club Dinner and Compliment on work
recreation discussions theatre tickets work progress
facilities Flexible hours
Use of company Vacation trips Recognition in
convenience house organ. Flexible breaks
center Coupons
Use of company redeemable at Pat on the back Job sharing
facilities for local stores Smile
personal projects Verbal or non – Participation in
verbal recognition discussions
or praise
Participation in
teams